Hartford Man Gets 12 Years In Domestic Assault

VERNON — A Hartford man was sentenced to more than a decade in prison as part of a plea agreement he accepted on the eve of his trial for seriously assaulting his then-wife in 2013 and 2014.

Dwight Maddox, 38, was living in Columbia at the time of the crime, and in December 2013 strangled his wife by grabbing her by the throat and pressing on her larynx until she could not breathe. The assault was witnessed by the woman's children, who got away and called for help.

In March 2014, Maddox again grabbed the woman by the throat and assaulted her, leaving lacerations and bruises on her body.

While jailed awaiting trial, Maddox called the woman repeatedly and asked her to recant her statements to police. A protective order was in place barring any contact.

Just as evidence was about to begin in his trial on Dec. 9, Maddox pleaded guilty to two counts of second-degree strangulation and two counts of violation of a protective order.

Maddox has a history of domestic violence with other victims and a prior conviction for second-degree strangulation.

Rockville Superior Court Judge William Bright sentenced Maddox to 12 years in prison.